Parc de Chambord, Renaissance park in Centre-Val de Loire, France
Parc de Chambord is a walled forest estate surrounding Château de Chambord in the Loire Valley, made up of oak woodland, open meadows, canals, and formal gardens. The grounds are crossed by a network of paths and alleys that connect different parts of the domain.
King Francis I had the park enclosed in the 16th century to serve as a royal hunting ground, and the long boundary wall built at that time still stands today. Over the following centuries the estate passed through several hands before coming under the management of the French state.
The park holds one of the densest red deer populations in France, and visitors who walk quietly along the forest edges at dusk often spot herds grazing in the open clearings. In autumn, the rutting season draws people specifically to hear the stags calling across the forest.
The park has several entry gates and a well-marked trail network suited for walkers and cyclists alike, and bike rental stations are available near the castle. It is large enough that half a day or more is needed to explore beyond the gardens closest to the building.
The wall enclosing the park is one of the longest dry-stone walls in France, running for more than 32 kilometers, and it was completed before the castle itself was finished. This suggests that securing the hunting ground was the first priority, even ahead of the main building.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
